Leigh beat Broncos to stay in play-off race

Betfred Super League

London (6) 12

Tries: Davis, Rourke Goals: Leyland 2

Leigh (12) 32

Tries: McIntosh, Halton, Leutele, O'Donnell, O'Brien, Pene Goals: Hardaker 4

Leigh Leopards avoided a shock defeat against bottom-placed side London Broncos to keep themselves in the Super League play-off race.

The Broncos scored first in a brave performance, with Sam Davis set up by Oliver Leyland's mazy run, before Leigh hit back through tries from Darnell McIntosh and Frankie Halton.

Ricky Leutele added a third score, but Zak Hardaker's wayward kicking meant the hosts were still in the game at half-time.

Josh Rourke then brought the scores level until three tries in the final quarter, from Kai O'Donnell, Gareth O'Brien and Aaron Pene, saw Leigh push clear and earn victory, despite an error strewn performance in Wimbledon.

The 20-point winning margin flattered Leigh, who struggled to gain any fluency and put many attacking sets together until the final stages, when London tired.

The hosts deserved to be level at the hour mark, after a physical performance that belied their place at the bottom of the Super League.

The Leopards scored three of their six tries in the final quarter, with Pene's first try for the club - a slightly messy but effective score - typifying the visitors' performance.

Adrian Lam's side have now won three successive games and are now seventh, just one point off Catalans Dragons and St Helens, both of whom are inside the play-offs.

The Broncos remain bottom, but level on points with fellow strugglers Hull FC.

Darnell McIntosh scored Leigh's first try of the game

London Broncos head coach Mike Eccles:

"We got what we deserved in the end but our pack absolutely outstanding.

"It was phenomenal today and I don't think anybody wins the physical battle against Leigh.

"Rhys Kennedy was phenomenal."

Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Manchester:

"London have nothing to lose, and watching them, they are a club that have improved inspirationally, particularly over the past six weeks.

"It was never about coming here and being perfect, but we did exactly what I asked them not to do. However, we were really resilient.

"The game was in the balance for a long time, and we defended really well when it counted most.

"When the game needed a change, we stepped it up and rammed it home."

London: Rourke; Kershaw, Natoli, Bassett, Macani; Leyland, Campagnolo; Butler, Davis, Kennedy, Lovell, Adebiyi, Stock

Interchanges: Tison, Bienek, Jones, Miloudi

Leigh: Hardaker; McIntosh, Hanley, Leutele, Brand; O'Brien, Lam; Amone, Ipape, Pene, O'Donnell, Halton, Asiata

Interchanges: Dwyer, Davis, Hughes, Trout

Referee: Jack Smith.